Harry exclaimed suddenly, triumphantly relocating his rook. Ron stared at the chessboard in disbelief, trying to find a flaw in Harry's arrangement of chess pieces.

There wasn't one.

I don't believe it, Ron said good-naturedly. Okay, which of my pieces did you hide under the table?

Harry said, still not quite comprehending the situation. I actually beat you? That's the first time in seven years! I knew I would win someday.

They began clearing away the chessboard, and were still arguing about the game when Hermione came in.

she greeted them, dumping an armful of books on the table. I've finally finished.

Finished what? Ron asked, raising an eyebrow.

My Potions essay, Hermione replied triumphantly, digging out from her bag with a flourish. Ron's jaw dropped.

That's four rolls of parchment, he said weakly. How could you write that much?

Hermione made an impatient noise. That's how much information I found on Truth Potions. She replaced the essay back in her bag, and looked at them.

Anyone want to help me carry these books upstairs?

said Ron, helping her gather them up. Why do you need all these if you're done with the essay? he asked, following her up the stairs to her dormitory. Harry could faintly hear her explaining about the Transfiguration paper and the Herbology test, and he shook his head in exasperation. He would never understand Hermione. He looked over at the portrait hole to see Ginny come in, and quickly gathered up his chess pieces and started towards the staircase.



He turned.

What, Ginny? He was trying to make himself feel nothing, to be empty of all emotion, but he just couldn't. He still loved her, and as much as he would have liked to pretend that he didn't, it wasn't possible.

I have to talk to you, she said, sounding a little shaky.

Is something wrong? Harry asked in concern. She looked paler than normal, and he wondered what was the matter.

she said, smiling faintly. Well--sort of. Where can we go? I don't want people to hear.

I suppose you can come up to my dormitory, Harry said slowly. There shouldn't be anyone in there at this time of day. He lead the way up the stairs, still clutching the box of chessmen. How could she make him feel like this, so unsettled and yet complete at the same time? She's dating Malfoy, he told himself sharply. Stop being an idiot. They walked into his dormitory, which was empty, and he tossed the box on his bed. He turned to face her, gritting his teeth, wondering what could possibly be wrong.

he said. What is it?

She looked very uncomfortable. Nervously uncomfortable.

I know you're probably mad at me right now, she said, not looking him in the eye, wringing her hands. Harry made a noise of assent, and her cheeks turned pink. I just wanted to tell you that-- She paused. That--I've broken up with Malfoy. I just wanted you to know. She turned to leave, her head still down, but Harry grabbed her wrist.

Wait a moment, he said, beginning to feel excited. I must have heard you wrong. I thought that you said you've broken up with Malfoy.

No, you heard me right, she whispered, finally bringing her eyes to meet his. Harry just stared at her.

he asked finally.

Ginny took a deep breath. First of all, I need to tell you about something called a Persuasive Charm.

No, you don't, he interrupted. I know what it is. Hermione told me about it a little while ago. She was all excited because she found out about it when she was doing research, and--





Malfoy put a Persuasive Charm on me.

Harry sat down. Hard. He looked stunned.

Ginny said shakily, it wasn't really that I liked him, it was that stupid charm. And I'm really sorry about everything, Harry. He was silent. Please, say something, she whispered, turning away.

I'm thinking, he said, which was true. Everything was finally making sense. He knew that Ginny wouldn't have trusted Malfoy, she wasn't the kind of person who would be blinded by false words. But to pretend as though none of this had ever happened, to go back to the way it was before Malfoy . . . Harry wasn't sure if he could do that. How would that make him appear to others? Weak and dependent?

Ginny was walking away, her shoulders shaking.

Harry said quickly, following her, I love you. Where did that come from? he wondered. And all of a sudden, he found that he didn't care what other people thought. He had Ginny back, and that was all he needed.

She fell into his arms, sobbing hysterically, and Harry quickly nudged the door closed with his foot, not wanting anyone to hear her and think something was wrong.

she wailed, I'm so sorry for everything. I--

It's all right, Harry said soothingly, patting her back. It wasn't your fault. It's just a good thing that the charm wore off. I'm glad he didn't realize that it was going to.

Her tears were subsiding, and she let go of him, wiping at her face. They looked at each other, beginning to feel slightly awkward.

Harry said, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Tomorrow's the last Hogsmeade visit before Christmas. D'you want to go with me?

Ginny smiled, and flung herself into his arms again. I love you too, she whispered.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They were sitting in front of the fireplace later, talking about nothing in particular, when Ron and Hermione came into the common room. Harry and Ginny looked up as Hermione's mouth fell open in surprise.

Oh, hello, Ginny said airily, as if nothing out of the ordinary were happening. We were wondering where you two had gotten to.

What--how--what the bloody hell is going on?! Ron demanded furiously.

Hermione closed her mouth, looking as if it took a lot of effort to do so. Oh, Ron, she said, slapping his cheek lightly. Hush. I'm glad you've finally come to your senses, she said to Harry and Ginny, smiling happily. If you'll excuse us-- She pulled Ron, who was looking rather dazed, out of the common room. Harry could hear her lecturing him all the way down the corridor. He looked at Ginny, and they began laughing.

Ginny said eventually, wiping tears from her eyes. Do you still need to get any Christmas presents in Hogsmeade?

A few, Harry said off-handedly. By the way, what do you want for Christmas?

She laughed. Surprise me.

Sounds good.

What about you?

What do I want?



Surprise me.

She giggled again, and scooted closer to him on the couch, tucking her legs up. I changed my mind, she whispered, leaning on his shoulder. He could detect her citrus scent mingled with the fresh smell of her shampoo, and took a deep breath.

About what? he asked, wrapping a lock of her silky hair around his finger.

She gave him an impish look, and sang, All I want for Christmas--is you.

Where'd you learn that? Harry could feel his face breaking into a slightly foolish grin.

Oh, Hermione's been singing it all week, Ginny said innocently, gazing up at him.

Hermione? Singing?

That's what I just said.

I've never heard Hermione sing before, Harry said in amazement. The idea of book-obsessed Hermione singing was a very strange one.

Well, she does, Ginny replied. Quite nicely, too.

Sing the rest of the song, Harry told her.

Oh, I'm not any good at singing, Harry, she said pleadingly.



She sighed and began singing, softly. Looking back, Harry wished that the sweetness of the moment had gone on forever; the crackling of the fire, Ginny's light weight resting on his side, her intoxicating scent, and her honey-rich voice filling the room and his soul.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hi everyone! Just a few notes:

First of all, I hope you know what song I am talking about. I'm not sure who it's by, but you have to have heard it, all the radio stations play it at Christmas time: I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I need, I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree . . . and so on.

I know it's been a long time, but I am finally working on this again. I'm not planning on making it too much longer, maybe five or so more chapters (long ones, but that's good, cause they've been too short). So thanks for reading this, and stick with me, cause we're almost through!

Reviewers: I was reading through my reviews, and I'm very happy that so many people like the story, but I have a small request to make. Instead of just saying things like, Good story! I like it!, I would love it it you guys could be more specific. Tell me what's good, parts you liked a lot, and what's bad, any parts that you didn't like or thought was badly written or whatever. That would mean so much to me. Thank you so much for the moral support: I love you guys!

If you want me to email you when I update, either leave your address in your review or send it to my email address. Thanks.

Now what are you waiting for? I'm all done blabbing! Go review (and in detail, please)! -Unique Chica